Prade trial hearing delayed in Summit

Associated Press Published: August 23, 2014 4:00 AM

AKRON -- Attorneys for a former Ohio policeman imprisoned and then exonerated in his ex-wife's slaying argue he should automatically get a new trial.

A state appeals court recently ruled a Summit County judge should decide whether 68-year-old Douglas Prade gets a new trial in the 1997 shooting death of Dr. Margo Prade. But the judge has delayed a Monday hearing on the matter as Prade's attorneys argue a previous ruling by another judge automatically granted Prade a new trial.

A now-retired judge freed Prade after his DNA didn't match evidence on the victim's coat. That judge also ruled Prade should get a new trial if her decision was overturned, and it was, by an appeals court.

Prosecutors have filed a motion arguing Prade shouldn't get a new trial.